MODAL VERBS

Can
• I can cook • Can you
dinner. pass me
the
ketchup?
ABILIT WILLINGNES
Y S

PERMISSIO POSSIBILIT
N Y

• Can I use your • Intense

pencil? light can
hurt your
eyes.
Directions: Say how “can” is used in each sentence. Put “A” if it is used to express
ability, “W” if it is used to express willingness, “Per” if it is used to express
permission
and “Pos” if it is used to express possibility.

1) I can tie my shoes

2) Can I have a piece of gum?
3) If you ride a motorcycle, you can fall.
4) Can you get me a drink of water?
5) I can speak English well.
6) He can use my basketball if he wants to.
7) Can they clean my car while I am at work?
8) Can squirrels fly?
9) It can snow if it gets very cold.
10) I can help you with your homework if you like.

Directions: Now make your own sentences using “can”.

1) _____________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________
COULD
The negative of can is “could not” or the contraction
“couldn’t”.
• He couldn’t let me
THE PAST have his pencil because
TENSE OF
“CAN” he needed it.

• Jane could be at the

POSSIBLITY store right now.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal
verb in each sentence.

1) I (could, can) help you with your homework now.

2) Five years ago, I (cannot, couldn’t) play the piano.

3) I (can, could) get an A on the test if I studied harder.

4) I (can, could) run ten miles if I train hard enough.

5) We (can, could) speak English well.

MAY
The negative of may is “may not”.

POSSIBILITY
• I may become a doctor.

PERMISSION
• May I have a glass of
water?
MIGHT
. The negative of might is “might not”.

• I might
become a
POSSIBIL
doctor when
ITY
I grow up,
but I doubt it.
COMPARE
MIGH
MAY
T
A HIGHER
DEGREE OF
POSSIBILIT
Y
I might
become a
doctor when I I may become
grow up, but I a doctor.
doubt it.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in
each sentence.

1) When I grow up, I (may, might) become an engineer.

2) There is a small chance that we (may, might) go to the beach this
weekend.
3) There is a good change that we (might, may) have to postpone
the meeting.
4) Billy and I (may, might) cook dinner tonight.
5) The airplane (might, may) crash.
6) You never know, I (may, might) become president one day.
7) (May, Might) I have a piece of bread please?
8) It (might, may) snow tonight, but I doubt it.
 MUST

DEDUCTIO OBLIGATIO
N N
My keys must : I must climb
be around here Mount
somewhere. Everest.
HAVE TO
The negative of have is “do not have to”.

• Yoko has to • My mother

win this race says that I
to advance to have to make
the next round. my bed.
Obligation
STRONG coming from
BELIEF an external
source
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in
each sentence.

1) My boss told me that I (have to, must) work overtime this week.

2) I (must, have to) get my hair cut before the dance.

3) She (has to, must) pay monthly rent to live in her apartment.

4) Ted’s dad said that he (must, has to) clean his room before he can play.

5) I (have to, must) buy those pretty red shoes.

6) The runner (has to, must) win the race to get a gold medal.
SHALL
The negative of shall is “shall not” or the contraction
“shan’t”.

PROPHEC I shall become a

Y doctor.

Tomorrow, you
COMMAN
D shall climb to
the top of Mt.
Everest.
SHOULD
The negative of should is “should not” or the
contraction “shouldn’t”.

ADVICE Ideal situation

• You should see a • I should get paid
doctor. more for the hard
work that I do.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal
verb in each sentence.

1) Mom thinks you (should, shall) clean your room.

2) Trains (shall, should) go faster.
3) This weekend (should, shall) be the best weekend ever!
4) I (should, shall) be a writer when I get older.
5) Police (shan’t, shouldn’t) be allowed to drive so fast.
6) Our team (should, shall) have tried harder.
7) After you are finished washing my car, you (shall, should) get
me something to eat.
8) (Shall, Should) we be ready by ten?
WILL
The negative of will is “will not” or the contraction
“won’t

Volunteering:
I will cook dinner.

Future action:
I think I will go to the
beach this Sunday.
WOULD
Conditional Politeness

I would get a
I would like
tan if I worked
more tea please.
at the pool.
Directions: Circle the correct auxiliary modal verb in
each sentence.

1) My dog and I (would, will) go for walks when she was younger.

2) I (will, would) buy new shoes if I had enough money.

3) I am feeling tired. I think I (would, will) go to sleep now.

4) I (will, would) like more milk when you get a chance.

5) I don’t think we (will, would) ever win the game.

6) If you get in trouble, I (won’t, wouldn’t) help you.

OUGHT TO/ HAD BETTER

ideal and somewhat obligatory

action.
• I ought to become a doctor because my
father was a doctor.
ideal and somewhat obligatory
action.
• He had better wash his hands before he
eats.
Write sentences in order to illustrate the use of “had
better” and “ought to”

1. ________________________________________
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2. ________________________________________
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3. ________________________________________
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4. ________________________________________
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